The fifth-seeded Anderson didn’t fire on all cylinders this morning and struggled to get his deadly service game going. Anderson only served 14 aces in the match and also recorded 5 double faults.

His performance was however good enough for a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 and 6-1 win.

Following the match in Melbourne, the two-time Grand Slam finalist conceded that the heat played a factor during his first round match.

"It was really hot out here. I thought we were going to hit the heat rule, but no luck," said Anderson. 

"I was up a break in that second set and just let it get away a little bit.

"I was happy with the way I was able to reset."

"Every day I push myself to get better and better.

"You've got to come out here and win the match. It is a difficult challenge but that is what it is all about."

A year ago Anderson was knocked out in the first round by Britain's Kyle Edmund. On Monday, Edmund received his marching orders with an opening round defeat to one of Anderson's all-time big rivals, Tomáš Berdych. 

Anderson will face the unseeded 20-year-old American, Frances Tiafoe, in the second round.

On Tuesday, Lloyd Harris, of South Africa will face-off against the 15th seeded Russian, Daniil Medvedev. Harris, who is the topped ranked player living in South Africa, had to qualify for the year's first Grand Slam.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport